Ben Jacques-Maynes (Ritte/Bear Development Team) made it two-for-two, for his weekend’s cyclocross racing, by overtaking a fast-starting Walton Brush (MashSF) and winning the Elite Men’s race. The windy and dusty racing at Candlestick Point also saw another race winner for Women’s cyclocross as Helene Drumm, taking advantage of the loose terrain and sand with her mountain bike, won the race for Elite Women. The small but strong field, throughout NorCal, of women’s cyclocross racers is proving very competitive.

Candlestick Point Repêchage ran in reverse to the previous meeting but was the same characteristic twisting and bumping course. The loose sections were a little more torn up. An awful lot of flats and double flats were reported from the day’s racing – misery had plenty of company.

With the upcoming change in weather, the wind picked up as the day progressed. This lead to very dusty racing.

For the Elite Women’s race, Drumm grabbed the hole shot and took off from there. At the first set of TRP Brake Zone plank barriers, Drumm’s lead over Karen Brems (Team Rambuski Law) was 22 seconds. The next lap the gap was 38 seconds and grew from there.

The wider tyres on Drumm’s mountain bike provided an advantage for the many soft, sandy sections. Although this was a significant edge to her race, Drumm still had to push hard and stay ahead of an always capable and threatening Brems.

Helene Drumm Remounts after the Plank Barriers

“I think I had a good advantage with [the bike],” said Drumm, “It smoothed it out nicely and I was able to stay nice and smooth. I never had any issues [and] just cruised right through everything.” Drumm explained she has difficulty in finding a cyclocross bike comfortable enough for her to race.

Drumm Built a Solid Lead over Second Place

Brems took second in the race, finishing one place away from matching Jacques-Maynes’ two-win weekend. In third place was Kristin Drumm (Cycles Fanatic Racing), sister of Helene. Sarah Jordan (Bicycle Bluebook/HRS/Rock Lobster) was fourth whilst Jen Jordan (Mellow Motors) secured her first BASP-podium in three years by coming home in fifth place.

Karen Brems Takes On the TRP Brake Zone

Brush grabbed the hole shot for the Elite Men’s race and set a cracking pace for the first lap. He didn’t falter too much, as he remained well ahead of the rest of the field, but mid-way through the second lap Jacques-Maynes passed the MashSF racer.

Brush said that going out fast is “my strategy going into most any race. I just think the more time you can put out in the beginning the harder it is for everybody else to catch up.” On being passed by Jacques-Maynes and trying to close the gap later in the race, Brush said “I don’t think I am the most motivated rider on my own so seeing somebody or being on somebody’s wheel is my ticket to stay up there or keep the pace high.”

Walton Brush Showing Good Pace Early

From here to the finish, Jacques-Maynes continued to apply pressure and build his lead. The only remaining threat in Jacques-Maynes’ race was a dollar grab on the small hill just before the finish. Spectators had been encouraging racers on the tricky section to go for the money and, on the final lap, Jacques-Maynes obliged. The attempt ended up with him putting his bike down. He had enough of a gap by then to recover and claim his win as well as the dollar bill.

Racing on a singlespeed bike, Jacques-Maynes reported “I had to pick and choose how I go fast, where I go fast. Racing guys when they [have] gears and good legs, I’ll wait for a lap to really start hitting the gas. Guys were starting to bobble, I was picking guys off, and it was just Walton [Brush] and me. I just had to apply some power [and] ride him down a little bit. [Brush] put up a good fight.”

About his dollar grab, Jacques-Maynes reported “it was fully sketchy. It’s a big pile of gravel. Taking one hand off the bars didn’t go so well. Only had to put a foot down and remount. I had the race in the bag so I thought I’d have some fun.”

Jacques-Maynes Outpaces the Field and Survives a Late Bobble to Win

Brush took second place with Cameron Walters finishing in third. Keith Hillier (Team Rambuski Law) worked his way late up to fourth place whilst Juan Gomez-Villafane (ibis/Buy-cell.com) crossed the finish line in fifth. Just outside the top five was Justin Robinson (California Giant/Specialized), who had put in a charge to get up to third but faltered late.

BASP heads a little south for their next race on 10 November. It is the popular and exciting Sierra Point Night Race – the self-described “high school football game” for the events. With the recent rains, there is a good possibility of less dust out on course but, either way, the racing is certain to thrill the spectators.

The Sponsor-Canopy Lined Finish

Title Sponsor Clif Bar and BASP Finish Line

Sand Leading Into and Out Of the TRP Brake Zone Increased the Barrier’s Difficulty

Spectators Awaiting the Start of the Next Race

Helene Drumm Remounts after the Plank Barriers

Karen Brems Takes On the TRP Brake Zone

Drumm Built a Solid Lead over Second Place

Walton Brush Showing Good Pace Early

Jacques-Maynes Outpaces the Field and Survives a Late Bobble to Win

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